Detained Australian economist appears in Myanmar court

File image taken from video of Sean Turnell, an Australian economist who has appeared in court in Myanmar (Australian Broadcasting Corporation via AP, File)

An Australian economist who was arrested when Myanmar’s military seized power in February had appeared in court in the capital Naypyitaw, where he will be tried for violation of the official secrets law, his lawyer said.

Sean Turnell had been an adviser to the country’s leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, who was also arrested when her elected government was ousted by the army.